Ticonderoga Neighbors Addressing Drug Abuse move forward with mission

The Ticonderoga Police Department, with the help of New York State National Guard, New York State Police and Essex County Sheriff’s, conducted a marijuana eradication sweep Aug. 6.

The TiNada meetings are always packed full of information and updates, proving their dedication to changing this community for the better. The Jan. 13 installation was no different, and featured new faces among the coalition’s founding members, ready to talk about the future of the battle against drugs.

“It was very encouraging and there was a real buzz at the meeting, lots of new faces,” said Doug Terbeek, member of the coalition and Executive Director of the Prevention team, of the 16 people in attendance.

The meeting addressed several relevant topics that are floating around Ticonderoga, including the addition of a K-9 unit to Ti PD and talks of a local taxi ordinance, but most importantly the meeting discussed steps TiNada is taking to make their message heard.

In August, the coalition sponsored a community forum on prescription drug abuse; several community members were thankful for the meeting and expressed interest in having another installment. After researching the idea and going over information gathered at the last forum, the coalition has decided that another event, with a similar structure, will be scheduled in the spring, most likely at the school.

The forum will highlight: 1. Providing the ticonderoga community with facts about prescription drug abuse in our area 2. Why parents should be concerned and giving tips on how to talk to their children to promote prevention 3. Recruiting new members for the coalition.

TiNada also discussed the potential to connect with other programs in the area in hopes to move forward with their integration into the community. Contact has been made with Kiwanis and a possible discussion with the Fire Department. The coalition is asking any members of the public to submit ideas that would increase community outreach.

The group is focused on learning as much as possible regarding drug issues that impact Ticonderoga and surrounding areas; each meeting seems to reveal something new, or deeper regarding drug abuse.

This meeting had Margaret Brown from Hospice discussing her concerns on opiate abuse and the ways in which the organization combats potential issues. The coalition discussed the potential of seeking out medical professionals to attend meetings and be part of the discussion as well as the possibility of featuring an educational article once a month in the area newspapers.

Before the meeting was adjourned, those in attendance also watched a series of videos that are part of the state’s “Combat Heroin” initiative. The videos can be viewed at combatheroin.ny.gov/real-stories.

Kortney Kraft, records clerk at the Ticonderoga Police Department, has recently set up a Facebook page that will serve as a platform to announce important TiNada updates as well as useful information regarding substance abuse. The group is taking significant steps in making the public aware of their message, and why exactly it needs to spread as quickly as possible.

“We welcome opportunities to speak to community groups, churches, whomever about issues related to current local substance use and abuse,” said Terbeek.

For more information visit TiNada’s Facebook page, email them at tinada@townofticonderoga.org, or call (518) 585-3080.